How to create vertical 9:16 ads for Instagram

Quick Answer

Vertical 9:16 ads are the standard format for Instagram Reels and Stories. Create them at 1080 x 1920 pixels with safe zones of 250 pixels at the top and 500 pixels at the bottom to keep text visible. Use CapCut, Canva, or Adobe Express to design and export.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Understand the 9:16 canvas

9:16 means 9 units wide and 16 units tall. At 1080 x 1920 pixels this is the native resolution for phones. Use this size for Reels, Stories, Facebook Reels, and TikTok.

2. Pick a design tool

Canva: Fastest for beginners, templates included
CapCut: Best for video editing and music
Adobe Express: Professional templates
Figma: Custom graphic design

3. Set the canvas size

In Canva click Create a design > Custom size > 1080 x 1920 px. In CapCut pick 9:16 when starting a new project.

4. Apply the safe zone

Draw two guide rectangles:

Top: 0–250 pixels (username bar)
Bottom: 1420–1920 pixels (CTA button and caption area)

Keep logos, faces, and text in the centre 1170 pixels. Anything in the safe zone may be clipped.

5. Design for sound-off viewing

Burn captions into the video, use bold on-screen text, and lead with a visual pattern interrupt.

6. Export

For video export as MP4, H.264, 1080 x 1920, under 4 GB. For static images export as PNG or JPG at 1080 x 1920, under 30 MB.

7. Upload to Ads Manager

In adsmanager.facebook.com upload the file at the ad level. Preview across Reels, Stories, and Feed placements to confirm the safe zone works.

FAQs

Can I use a 1:1 square ad in Reels? Meta will auto-crop it, which looks bad. Always upload 9:16 for Reels.

What video codec should I use? H.264 with AAC audio.

Is 4:5 still supported in Instagram Feed? Yes, but not Reels or Stories.

Do I need captions? Strongly recommended — most viewers watch muted.

How long can a 9:16 video ad be? Up to 60 seconds in Stories, 90 seconds in Reels, and 240 seconds in Feed.

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